Trichoplax genomes reveal profound admixture and suggest stable wild populations without bisexual reproduction.

ABSTRACT: The phylum Placozoa officially consists of only a single described species, Trichoplax adhaerens, although several lineages can be separated by molecular markers, geographical distributions and environmental demands. The placozoan 16S haplotype H2 (Trichoplax sp. H2) is the most robust and cosmopolitan lineage of placozoans found to date. In this study, its genome was found to be distinct but highly related to the Trichoplax adhaerens reference genome, for remarkably unique reasons. The pattern of variation and allele distribution between the two lineages suggests that both originate from a single interbreeding event in the wild, dating back at least several decades ago, and both seem not to have engaged in sexual reproduction since. We conclude that populations of certain placozoan haplot

SUBMITTER: Kamm K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6057997 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature